Ecclesiastical set



June 19, 1934. w, FlSHER ET AL 1,963,617

ECCLESIASTICAL SET Filed Nov. 2; 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 19, 1934. w, FlSHER r AL 1,963,617

ECCLESIASTICAL SET Filed Nov. 2, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ,Zifuez; 47:9:

Patented June 19, 1934 UNITED S TATES PATENT OFFICE ECCLESIASTICAL SET Harry W. Fisher, North Attleboro, Mass, and LeoP. Leddy, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignors to Swift & Fisher, North Attleboro, Mass, a partnership consisting of the estate of Joseph H. Swift, deceased, and Harry W. Fisher Application November 2, 1932, Serial No. 640,816

' '1 Claims. (01. 206-19) stical set for use rites and other religious ceremonies or by the laity for devotional purposes. The invention consists more particu- 5 larly in a set of ritualistic articles or objects mounted on a base and adapted to be folded into compact form and enclosed by a case for convenient carrying in the pocket.

One object of the invention is to provide a set of articles of the type specified grouped in compact form and adapted to be enclosed in a carrying case.

Another object of the invention is to provide a set of the type specified ha ving the articles mounted thereon to adapt them to be folded down against the base and enclosed in a leather or fabric pocket case.

Another object of the invention is to provide a set of the type specified having certain of the ritualistic articles and accessories removable from the case for separate use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a carrying case of small size and compact form which may be unfolded to per mit the symbolic articles to be supported in elevated position on a base or standard and wherein pockets are provided for holding a ritual handbook, a clergymans stole and other accessories.

Further objects of the invention are set forth in the following specification which describes a preferred form of construction of the device, by

way of example, as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the case upon the base in opened and the ritualistic articles folded down compact arrangement;

Fig. 2 is a similarview showing the symbolic articles erected on the base in use;

closed; and

their position of Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the case Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view through the case showing certain of the articles folded down against the base and the crucifix as removed from its holder. I

Referring to the drawings,

thev invention as herein shown comprises a fabric or leather case having a substantially rectangular pad or base 2 on which the symbolic objects and other accessories are mounted or carried to adapt them to be folded'into' close association therewith, as shown in Fig. 1, or raised into elevated position as illustrated in Fig. 2'. The case is provided with flaps adapted to be folded across the latter are placed'against the articles when'the base and certain of the flaps are provided with pockets for holding the accessories to be later designated.

Referring to Fig. 4 of the drawings, the case or holder may be constructed of fabric, leather or other suitable flexible material and preferably its main portion comprises an outer covering and inner lining as indicated at 3 and 4. The base or support 2 for the symbolic and other articles may be constructed of wood, fiber or the like and preferably it consists of a strip 5 arranged laterally of the case and two side strips 6 extending at right-angles thereto. The strips 5 and 6 are enclosed by a fabric or leather covering 7 and in this manner a pocket or gap is formed between the two side strips 6 for the reception of an article such as the stole worn by-thepriest or other cleric. Usually the stole is enclosed in a transparent envelope indicated at 8 in, the drawings. At either side of the base or pad 2 are flaps 11 and. 12 comprising two or more layers of leather or the like constituting the outer covering and lining for the case. The side flaps 11 and 12 are adapted to fold over the articles mounted on the base 2 and to be covered by two overlapping main flaps 14 and l5of the same width as the base. The flap l4, constituting an extension of the main covering of the case, is provided with a pocket 16 formed by a strip of the lining leather or other flexible material fastened to portions of the flap folded inwardly from'the sides, the several layers being stitched or secured together in any suitable manner. The pocket 16 is used for holding a Sacramentary or handbook of the church ritual indicated at 17. The opposite flap 15 is of less length than the main fia'p 14 to adapt it to fold substantially half way across the latter, being provided at its edge with a metal member 18 having a hooked latch 19 for reception in an opening in a metal clasp 20 secured to the opposite flap 14. The clasp 20 may be of usual construction having a spring-pressed keeper for engaging the hook or latch 19' on the member 18 and a fingerpiece 21 for operating the keeper to release the hook. The inside of the flap 15 is provided with a pocket 22 for holding small napkins indicated at 23 in Figs. 1 and 2. I

Surmounting the forward central part of the base 2 is a small block or standard 24, also covered with the leather or lining material to match the covering of the base. Fastened to the block 24 is a pivoted socket-member 25j for receiving the base of a crucifix 26. The mounting for the socket-member 25 is constructed as a hinge having one leaf 2'? screwed or otherwise fastened to the top of the block 24. Pivoted to the hinge-leaf 27 is a similar leaf 29 embodying the socket 30. The construction of the socket-member 25 provides for mounting the crucifix 25 in erect position as shown in Fig. 2 while permitting it to be folded down against the base 2 to be covered by the flaps of the case.

At either side of the base 2 are hinged members 31 carrying sockets or holders 32 for tapers or candles 33. Metal strips 34 extend from the candle-sockets 32 along the sides of the base 2 and serve as rests for the candles when the latter are folded down thereagainst. The metal strips 34 protect the fabric or leather covering of the base from contact with and soiling by the candles. To protect the case from the drip from the lighted candles a bobische, so-called, is preferably provided for each candle-holder or socket 32. The bobische consists in a shallow cup 43 having a concavo-convex rim surrounding an annular flange 44 which seats around the top of the socket 32 and rests thereupon when the bobische is slid down over the candle. The bobisches are removed from the holders 32 before folding the candles down against the strips 34 on the base 2, being placed on top of the base or in one of the pockets of the case before the latter is closed.

At the right of the crucifix a circular opening is provided in the base 2 for receiving a cylindrical container or stock 35 used for holding holy oil. As herein shown the stock 35 is provided with a screw cover 36 to prevent leakage of the contents.

At the left of the crucifix mounting 25 is a loop 37 rising from the base 2 and serving as a holder for a tubular vessel or container 40 in the form of a holy water sprinkler. The sprinkler 40 may be provided with a screw cap 41 having a perforated top for emitting small quantities of the holy water contained therein. The loop 3'7 is preferably made in the form of a strap of the same leather or fabric as the lining of the case.

When the various articles above described are arranged in folded position on the base 2 the flaps of the case may be closed and fastened by the clasp 20 to provide a particularly neat and compact set for carrying in the pocket. The set is particularly intended to be carried and used by priests or others of the clergy, but in other instances it may serve as a household article for containing the ecclesiastical objects used in devotional services. In its folded or closed condition the set occupies no more space than a small prayer-book and is thus especially convenient for either storing the articles or carrying them in the pocket.

The device may be used in the manner as next explained. The case is laid upon a table or other support and the flaps opened outwardly as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. After the case has been opened the priests stole may be withdrawn from its pocket and the ritual book and napkins removed for use as required. The symbolic objects are then raised into erect position with the candles standing at either side of the base and the crucifix at the center. This is accomplished by swinging the candle-holders upwardly on their hinges until their bottoms rest on the base 2. The crucifix mounting 25 is turned into vertical position in the same manner with the socket 30 resting on the block 24. In this position the candles are lighted and the crucifix 26 may be removed from its mounting as required in the ceremonial rites. The other accessories, comprising the oil stock 35 and the holy water sprinkler 40 are also readily accessible for use.

After the religious service or ceremonial has been completed the various accessories are replaced in the pockets and the symbolic objects folded down against the base 2 in the position shown in Fig. l of the drawings. The side flaps are then folded across the top of the base and the end flaps carried into the position illustrated in Fig. 3 to be secured together by the clasp shown at 20. The various articles of the set are thus all contained and held securely in place in the case so that the latter may be carried about either in the hand or pocket.

It will be observed from the foregoing that the present invention provides a particularly compact and convenient set of ecclesiastical objects and accessories encased to permit them to be carried in the pocket and to be readily erected in position for use during religious ceremonies such as sacramental rites. Moreover, the set is well adapted for household use to display the symbolic objects for devotional purposes, the case serving to protect the articles when not in use.

It is obvious that various modifications may be made in the arrangement of the articles in the set or in the manner of encasing them without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, without limiting ourselves to the exact form of construction shown, we claim:

1. In a set of the type specified, the combination of a base member, candle-holders hingedly mounted on the base member to fold down thereagainst, a crucifix holder pivotally mounted on the base member, and a case attached to the base member and having flaps foldable across its top to cover the objects mounted thereon, said fiaps having pockets for containing other accessories.

2. In an ecclesiastical set, the combinaiton of a base, candle-holders hingedly mounted on the base, a pivoted socket on the base, a crucifix adapted to be held in said socket, and a flexible case secured to the bottom of the base and having flaps adapted to fold over the top thereof to cover the objects mounted thereon.

3. In an ecclesiastical set, the combination of a relatively fiat base, candle-holders pivotally mounted on the base to adapt them to fold down thereagainst, metal strips extending along the base at the rear of the candle-holders, a crucifix pivotally mounted to fold against the base, and a flexible case having flaps for folding across the top of the base to cover the objects mounted thereon.

4. In an ecclesiastical set, the combinaiton of a rigid base having an opening therein, a container held in said opening, candle-holders hingedly mounted on the base to fold thereagainst, a crucifix hingedly mounted on the base, a loop rising from the base, a tubular container held in said loop, and a case covering the underside of the base and having flaps foldable across the top thereof to enclose the objects mounted thereon;

5. A portable set of ecclesiastical objects comprising a base, candle-holders pivoted on the base to adapt them to fold thereagainst, a crucifix foldably mounted on the base, and a case attached to the underside of the base and having flaps foldable across the sides and top thereof to enclose the articles mounted thereon.

6. An ecclesiastical set comprising a relatively rigid base having a pocket in its side, candlegitudinal strips covered with flexible material to form a pocket in its side, ecclesiastical objects foldably mounted on the base, and a case enclosing the base to cover and protect the articles mounted thereon.

HARRY W. FISHER. LEO P. LEDDY. 

